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Political Analysts have expressed mixed feeling over the move by political parties to undertake virtual campaign rallies with concerns to disenfranchise the rural community.
Political Scientist Alex N’goma who is a lecturer and researcher in the School of Humanities at the University of Zambia (UNZA) has described the initiative by political parties to hold virtual rallies as positive for the country’s democracy.
Dr Ng’oma told ZANIS in an interview that virtual rallies present a good opportunity for politicians to interact with the electorate during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said reaching voters using this method is better than totally not carrying out any kind of campaign rallies.
Dr Ng’oma however said other forms of campaigns like adverts and programmes via traditional media should complement virtual political rallies.
“This can be supplemented by other measures like the use of social media platforms. The use of radio and TV discussions, all these methods combined together can amount to something,” he said.
However Political Analyst, Neo Simutanyi noted that virtual political party rallies have the potential to disenfranchise rural voters.
Speaking in a separate interview, Dr Simutanyi said the electorate in rural parts of the country may not have access to smart devices such as mobile phones and tablets.
Dr Simutanyi explained that in as much as the initiative is a good measure in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, voters who have no access to smart devices including radio and television sets will be left out.
“A significant proportion of the population will be left out. Although these are very important measures, political parties should have it under consideration that they will not reach every person,” he said.
Political parties including the ruling Patriotic Front (PF), United Party for National Development (UPND) and Socialist Party have in the recent past embarked on virtual campaign rallies
Last month, the Electoral Commission of Zambia announced the suspension of campaign rallies ahead of the August 12, 2021 elections following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The government says the debt swap will provide significant relief to public service workers who are highly indebted and with the compromised capacity to service the loans.
Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga says the government is convinced that the debt swap will take away the pressure civil servants have had to endure in paying back their debtors which in some cases has affected their performance in carrying out their duties.
Speaking to the media in Lusaka this morning, Mr Malupenga said the idea was arrived at with the unions after thorough research into the matter.
He said that the debt swap, as an addendum to the collective agreement between public-sector unions and government, is an idea that was hatched three years ago but could not be implemented due to financial implications.
“This matter has been under discussion for over three years and a lot of work had to be done in the background. Implementation was delayed because of the financial implications. A lot of work had to be done in the background to ensure that this succeeds,” said Mr. Malupenga.
Mr. Malupenga also explained that the three-month suspension of deductions from civil servants’ salaries will allow for the reconciliation of records to establish what exactly is owed by the employees.
He said this will enable the government to reconcile the records and to determine what exactly is owed so as to come up with a roadmap to offset the debts.
“It must be understood that during this period the Public Service Microfinance Company will also look at what each employee owes and propose a flexible manner in which the debt they will take over will be repaid by the affected employees. This is like an in-house arrangement,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary stated that once all the processes are completed, deductions will then resume but under the Public Service Microfinance Company.
Mr. Malupenga dismissed views that the debt swap is connected to the forth coming general elections but instead noted that the debt swap is a well-intended initiative between the public sector unions and government.
Mr. Malupenga has since called upon various public service union officials, who brought the proposal to government, to explain the idea to their members to avoid speculation and misinformation.
Democratic elections are business transactions between politicians and the electorate. After months of opprobrium and violent campaigns, in less than 3 weeks, Zambians will finally settle their accounts. Thereafter, the electorate will have to wait for another five years to recite the ZNBC mantra: “If you pay, it will show.”
In 2016, the elections showed. Protruding bellies of unexpecting male politicians and cadres as if expecting mothers; except the curse of Eve reversed to give birth to corruption and in competencies untold. Dying and starving babies in overcrowded hospitals attract no mercy, in a nation where painkillers are a luxury, while politicians drive oversized cars, give themselves unwarranted allowances and cadres are above the law. Nefariously, they salute each other as honorables, when their faecal souls even Satan is embarrassed to accept.
As masses die from the COVID-19 Pandemic, they await August 12 to steal more and more. T-shirts, fitenges, Chibuku and Kachasu, for Mosi is a luxury, Kwachas and of course, Sunday Amens, are their favorite tools. And how can a starving person refuse a meal from a witch if it can keep him alive for a day, or a thirsty soul refuse a drink from the devil if it gives it enough energy to reach a stream? So our enslaving poverty, to these soulless politicians, a secret weapon. In our impoverishment they joyfully dance, demanding unearned encomiums from us, by throwing stolen Kwachas, chitenge, T-shirts at us in broad daylight, while buying our voter’s cards to ensure we don’t vote them out. On election eve, they hypnotize us with nshima, kachasu and chibuku so that the following day, we cast our votes under a deadly spell–after all, natulyamo! With that they bid us farewell until another election is in sight.
Audacious PF cadres are the most identified, but these actions are well established across the political spectrum. Presidential, Parliamentary and local government elections involve vote buying. Even the process of selecting contestants is influenced by bank accounts–you can’t campaign with empty pockets. It is what it is! I respect the advocacy against “votes for cash.” But we must not pretend our politics are clean–campaigns are influenced by cash payments and other bribes and benefits.
Economic depravity is not evenly spread. For the poor whose access to income is highly restricted, for example, giving them K200 in exchange for a voter’s card, or a vote is better than voting for a great candidate who promises to end poverty once in office. This is also true with chitenges, and T-shirts. The poor receive them with great pride–the attires add to their wardrobes. The concept that benefits of the elections will be felt after one is in office is not engraved in our political system–ours is the ZNBC mantra–“if you pay, it will show.” The majority of Zambians wants immediate benefits from politicians. Tribal identification may override this factor, but the electorate must be kept happy with some of these items if one has to remain competitive.
Throwing cash on the poor in exchange for votes may be wrong. But the cultural virtue of sharing is at play. As a rich person, for instance, HH is in an awkward position. He is expected to thrash out Kwachas across the country. If he doesn’t, he would be characterized as a close fisted politician–a vituperative title his opponents employ to define him. It is not how many times we share, but what matters most is that we have shared when we meet. Sharing once in five years is not that bad–after all, many of us do so with our relatives. We may educate people, but the truth remains–T-shirts, fitenges, cash, and of course, Chibuku and Kachasu–ukulyamo move votes. You can’t win without them. Be it Chiluba, Mwanawasa, Banda, Sata, Lungu, HH Kalaba, and M’membe, they all know this truth–without these four, even Jesus wouldn’t win Zambian elections!
Importantly, the rural voter does not experience economic challenges as an urban voter. The PF stratagem has been to marry its cash payments to socio-cultural expectations–rural folks interpret it as cultural altruism. A video from a UPND member from Luapula teasing the PF’s distribution of cash payments to people is an example. That giving money by the well-to-do to the less fortunate is an established cultural expectation, the opposition may demean it, but the poor view it as a true expression of kindness. Sadly candidates who don’t give money to the electorate are viewed as having a voracious African character, and undeserving of political office. Thus the UPND and other parties are forced to join in dishing out cash, while criticizing the PF for doing the same. It is not the cash which is an issue, rather how much cash PF is handing out to the electorate. Since PF is in power, it is exploiting government resources to win favor from the electorate. This is the problem which the opposition is highlighting, but not the act itself.
So what is the way forward? Political strategists ought to take these four into consideration. Zambians will always sell and buy votes. Opposition politicians may tease the electorate for accepting salt, sugar, and cash from the Party in power in exchange for votes. To a poor voter, however, it is simply flapdoodle–a good and caring person is the one who gives a cup of salt or sugar rather than the one who promises a good road once in power. As Bembas say, “batasha ico wiketeko” (you say thanks for what is in your hands). So how political strategists negotiate this culture is critical to winning future elections.
The printing of August 12, 2021, presidential and general elections ballot papers in Dubai, by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), has entered day 16 with the National Assembly and local government ballot papers now complete.
ECZ Senior Electoral Officer Anna Nkaka giving an update on the ongoing printing process in Dubai today, reported that the completion of the two types of election papers is in addition to the presidential ballot papers that were completed last week on Thursday.
“As of today July 19th 2021, we have reached 100 percent on the printing of national assembly ballot papers as well as those of the mayoral and council chairperson ballot papers,” said Ms Nkaka.
Ms Nkaka said the only remaining ballot papers still being printed are those that fall under the local government category, notably for councilors which are at 79 percent complete.
“As for the local government papers we are now 79 percent printing and the process is still ongoing,” she said.
The briefing which was also attended by stakeholders from security wings, representatives of political parties and civil society organization (CSOs) stated that the overall printing of the four types of election is now standing at 95 percent to completion.
“Overall, the printing of ballot papers of the four types of the election put together stands at 95 percent,” Mrs Nkaka stated.
She further disclosed that the printing of the braille jacket, a template used by the visually impaired was also complete, to be used in the August polls.
The printing of election ballot papers started on July 3rd, 2021 by Al Ghurair Publishing and Printing Company, the Dubai-based firm whose process is expected to be completed by July 31st ,2021 in readiness of the country’s polls slated for August 12th 2021.
And the Electoral Commission of Zambia says council chairpersons’ elections for Lusangazi district in Eastern Province will not take place on August 12th 2021 following the death of Patriotic Front (PF) candidate William Banda who died on July 17,2021.
ECZ commissioner, Ali Simwinga said the elections for that particular seat will not take place as provisions of the law stipulate that fresh nomination can only be held 30 days after the death of a candidate.
“Just as the practice and law demands, elections for the council chairperson seat in Lusangazi district where a PF candidate died will not take place with other elections on August 12th 2021. The law is very clear on such a case, and ballot papers with his details will have to be withdrawn,” the Commissioner indicated.
Ambassador Simwinga however said candidates who successfully filed in for the recently had fresh nominations will be part of next month’s general elections as they were within the time frame as stipulated by law.
The Commissioner has also commended the conduct of the representatives of political parties and other stakeholders in Dubai where the printing process is underway.
Ambassador Simwinga pointed out that the presence of stakeholders adds value to the whole printing process and legitimizes the electoral process.
“’the support from the PF, UPND, police, ACC, DEC and NGOCC in our view as a commission has added value to the integrity, credibility, legitimacy and of course transparency of our electoral process,” said the Commissioner.
He said there is need to ensure that Zambians are accorded a process in which they can vote for candidates and leaders of their choice.
Ambassador Simwinga added that the stakeholders’ support to the commission underscores their patriotism and commitment to the entire governance system in the country.
And the Commissioner who commended the Al Ghurair for its exceptional performance as a service provider, wished management and its workers at the company a happy Eid Mubarak which commenced today, an Islamic festival held to break the month of Ramadan.
A quick response from the Fire Brigade team of Mpika district, Muchinga Province, yesterday save a 35-year-old mentally challenged man of Lavushimanda district from committing suicide.
The 35 year old man of Lavushimanda district, climbed a 30 meter-long energized 330-kilovolt pylon, in an attempt to commit suicide.
The incident resulted in a power blackout of over three hours in Muchinga and parts of Northern Province, as the rescue team took time negotiating with the man, in an effort to try and make him rescind his decision.
Lavushimanda District Commissioner Yvonne Chisenga has confirmed the development to the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Chinsali today.
Ms Chisenga said the man identified as Dason Besa, 35, of Kapoto area in Chilomba village, was spotted by members of the public climbing the ZESCO pylon located on the Great North Road, on the stretch between Lavushimanda and Mpika .
She narrated that the incident was quickly reported to the district authorities who quickly mobilised a rescue team and emergency vehicles.
She said the district authorities in Lavushimanda further sought help from the Mpika Fire Brigade to help with the rescue.
Ms Chisenga said a rescue team comprising health personnel, firefighters and the Lavushimanda district administration, coordinated by the District administrative Officer Martin Chilukwa, managed to rescue the man at about 15:30 hours yesterday.
Ms. Chisenga who commended the Mpika Fire Brigade team, for their bravery and skills, said the team managed to tie the man right at the top of the pylon before bringing him down to a waiting ambulance.
The District Commissioner also applauded the community for their quick response in saving a life and urged them to continue being vigilant and safe guarding each other’s lives and public property.
Lafarge Zambia Chief Executive Officer, Jimmy Khan
Lafarge Zambia Chief Executive Officer Jimmy Khan is set to receive the prestigious Africa’s Most Respected CEO’s Award, to be conferred in Dubai this month.
The awards recognise leadership, innovation and commitment to excellence by CEOs in different business sectors and are organised by The Business Executive Magazine, the leading magazine covering economics, business, finance, investment and socio-economic development in West Africa.
Mr Khan has been recognised for his leadership of Lafarge Zambia, and his contributions to the manufacturing industry in Zambia.
“I am honoured to be an awardee,” said Mr Khan. “I accept the award on behalf of all my Lafarge Zambia colleagues who are so committed to striving for excellence in the construction industry and changing how the world builds; to shape a world that is greener and smarter for all.”
Mr Khan has been instrumental in reviewing the company’s structure and optimising efficiency, launching new products, creating a culture of communication and performance, and re-organising the management system.
Mr Khan has stood at the helm of the company, championing innovation, sustainable growth and development of its people and business since 2019.
An American national, Mr Khan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance/Accounting and Computer Information Systems from Virginia Tech University in the US and was formerly Managing Director of Lafarge Mauritius.
His career with Lafarge spans 18 years and his previous roles within the group have included Country Business Process Manager, Audit Manager and HR Manager Cement. His experience with Lafarge has covered Mauritius, Seychelles, Nigeria, France and North America, and he has also worked in UK, Brazil, China, Greece, South Africa and Saudi Arabia.
Socialist Party Presidential candidate Fred M’membe has said that it will be suicidal for Zambians to vote back President Edgar Lungu and the ruling Patriotic Front (PF).
In a statement to the media, Dr M’membe said that a vote for President Lungu and the PF will be a vote to finish off whatever little life still remains in Zambia because the economic trajectory of the country started going down as soon as President Lungu took the reign of power
“A few months before the PF came to power in 2011 Zambia was reclassified as a lower-middle-income country. For the first three years of the PF’s reign under Mr Michael Sata, they managed to maintain the same economic growth trajectory. However, economic growth, which averaged 6.4 percent at the time, immediately started a downward spiral when Mr. Lungu took over the presidency.
“From a growth of 7.6 per cent in 2014, for instance, economic growth plummeted to 2.9 per cent in 2015. And has since been a deteriorating year in year out, reaching to 1.4 per cent in 2019 and negative 4.2 percent last year,” Dr Membe said.
On the fiscal side, De M’membe said the president Lungu and his government threw away fiscal prudence and replaced it with reckless borrowing, done in the name of infrastructure development when it is well known that the ulterior motive has been to create expenditure lines for corruption.
“As a result, we see a fiscal deficit, which basically is borrowing to finance the budget, increasing from an average of 2.5 per cent of GDP per annum when the PF took over to an average of 5.4 percent of GDP per annum under Mr Sata’s reign, to 11.7 per cent last years under Mr Lungu’s PF government.
“The idea of massive infrastructure development was right in and of itself but was not well thought out from the very beginning. It was irrational. The World Bank and the IMF, among many others, advised them to rationalise their infrastructure development expenditure but they were not ready to listen, ” he said.
Dr. M’membe said that there was need for equitable distribution of projects coupled with prudent fiscal consolidation so that every province of Zambia can benefit and the country only spends money that it has.
Dr. M’membe further said that the PF government went into high gear of borrowing for projects that only benefited a few areas at a very expensive cost.
“For example, statistics from the Ministry of Finance show that by end of this year – 2021 – debt service costs will have increased to US $3.3 billion which is equivalent to over ZMW 70 billion at the current exchange rate of K22/US$. So if your domestic resource mobilisation capacity is at K65 billion then you factor in K27 billion for salaries, K4 billion for grant aided institutions and K7 billion for government operations you have a budget deficit of K43 billion.
“When Zambia was classified as a middle-lower income economy, we went to what is called frontier market to borrow money to bridge our financing gap as a country as opposed to the traditional Paris Club members. While some of our debt to China is bilateral, most of it is either quasi-government or commercial. This has very serious consequences,” Dr M’membe said.
Dr. M’membe said that the high dent has made Zambia become a Highly Indebted Poor Country again and that excessive borrowing has increased Zambia’s public debt from 20.8 percent of GDP when the PF took over government in 2011 to more than 100 per cent in 2021, basically put Zambia on the world map for the wrong reason, being the first country to default on its debt service post COVID 19.
Dr M’membe said that the high debt has resulted in higher costs of debt service which the PF government, unfortunately, has now failed to manage adding that, for the first time, the country has defaulted on its debt service obligations, and that Zambia’s sovereignty is at risk because no one knows under what conditions the commercial Chinese debt was contracted.
“This is certainly not a recipe for the revival of our country’s economic fortunes. It’s also not a recipe for governing well,” he concluded.
The ruling Patriotic Front (PF) member Chishimba Kambwili has charged that anyone saying the PF has failed after 10 years in power is not being truthful.
Speaking during the part’s first-ever PF virtual rally yesterday, Mr Kambwili said the PF came into power with a 20-year plan to develop the country and uplift the livelihoods of the people.
Mr. Kambwili who is also a PF founder member said the PF came into power with a solid plan because the first thing the party did was to find out where Zambia was lagging behind and came up with a 20-year plan to bring Zambia to greater heights.
“We asked why have we have not created jobs, why have we not created a wealth of our own, why are we depending on donors to pay salaries for civil servants and we found that our country is endowed with so many natural resources that would let the country create its own finances,” he said.
PF SG at the PF Virtual Rally, while Chishimba Kambwili looks on
Citing the many developmental projects implemented by the PF governments from various sectors such as Energy, Agriculture, Infrastructures and Health among others, Mr. Kambwili said the PF government has built roads, schools, hospitals and increased the country’s electricity generation capacity and diversified various sources of energy and other sectors among others.
“Our plan was that in the 15th year to the 16th year we should completely finish the infrastructure development and then going into the 17th to 18th year we would now start creating industries and planting farm blocks because we would have had enough electricity, we would have had enough schools, we would have had enough roads to lead to these industrial sites,” he said.
He added that the party’s program for developing the country in terms of infrastructure development was for 15 years but the party has achieved so much.
“On the roadside, we’ve created 3,000 roads under link Zambia 8,000 and when you talk about township roads we have done more than 3,000 kilometres and for anyone to say PF has failed at this point, he is being economical with the truth,” he said.
He added that the Zambian people need to give the PF their 20 years and then judge them according to what they would have done, adding that if they did at 10 years they would be putting themselves in problems by taking the development backwards.
“Therefore you need to be very careful, Zambians, after 20 years judge us and if you say PF you have failed, we will gladly walk away,” He said PF members at the virtual rallies launch
Mr Kambwili further urged Zambians to be careful during this year’s elections, saying President Edgar Lungu has managed to run the economy amidst the pandemic, and Zambians must give him massive support.
Mr Kambwili said that the opposition especially the UPND want to take advantage of the suffering of people in order to get into office but nothing will happen this time around.
“Listen to what they say, we need to be very careful, some of them do not mean well,” he said.
Mr Kambwili said that the economy of Zambia cannot be compared to other countries in the region and that Zambia’s economy is doing well, as evidenced by people from other countries are coming to buy commodities in the country.
“They say to know how the prices of commodities are prevailing on the market you need to be an economist, that is nonsense. We buy things in our neighbouring countries and we are able to see how bad their economies are,” Mr Kambwili said.
Mr Kambwili said that those saying that PF must be removed because of prices of commodities are becoming economic with the truth, before adding that the economy of the country is doing well during this period because of achievements made in the energy sector.
Mr Kambwili said that every economy depends on energy for it to be efficient.
“When we came in power in 2011 the country was generating only 16000 megawatts but because of the number of generating points we have put in place more power is being generated,” he said.
Mr Kambwili also cited the road infrastructure which has been rolled out across the country, saying no successful government has created and developed the country in 10 years like PF has done and urged the people of Zambia not to make any mistake to bring in a new government because they will take Zambia backwards.
Headmen in Chipangali District Mugubudu area of Eastern Province have resolved to ensure that the United Party for National Development (UPND) Alliance presidential candidate Hakainde Hichilema is elected as Zambia’s Seventh (7th) Head of State and Government.
During a meeting with UPND Eastern Province leadership and UPND advanced party from Lusaka for the National Youth Chairperson Gilbert Liswaniso, traditional leaders chorused Mr. Hichilema in person to hear how he plans to guarantee economic relief in Zambia once elected.
According to a statement released to the media by UPND media team, the traditional leaders urged the UPND entourage to facilitate an interaction with Mr. Hichilema to listen to the UPND poverty alleviation agenda as the farming community in the chiefdom is resolved to change of government, after years of worsening vulnerability.
“UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema must not be afraid to come and interact with us and our subjects as the people of Chipangali want a change of government, so that we can put in a leadership capable of improving our livelihood both of the young and ageing generation as opposed to a party that is only giving us Chitenge material and T shirts,” headmen implored UPND leaders.
After the meeting with the Headmen, a 23-year-old Lukuzye Ward aspiring councillor Charles Kapwata called on the people in the area not only to vote for him alone but to ensure that President Hakainde Hichilema received maximum votes, as the community is desirous of change.
And UPND Chipangali Constituency Parliamentary candidate Moses Masala said voting for UPND Alliance team is total transformation of positive change from a deplorable life of neglect imposed by the less concerned Patriotic Front (PF) led by Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
“UPND brings good agricultural governance, cheap fertilizer and a ready market for agricultural produce which will alleviate poverty, as a direct consequence of improved incomes and nutrition” he said.
And UPND Provincial Chairlady Martha Mulenga urged the electorate to rally behind all the UPND Alliance aspiring candidates in Chipangali Constituency.
“On 12th August 2021, let us vote for President Hakainde Hichilema and all UPND Alliance candidates at Parliamentary and Local Government level and ensure that after casting or voting, each one of us protect votes,” Ms. Mulenga advised.
David Zimba, a farmer lamented the high price of fertilizer fetching at K900 for a 50 kilogramme bag which he fears will negatively affect attainment of a good produce.
“I pray that you will fulfil your promises on us as peasant farmers currently faced with a lot of agricultural challenges. Annually, we are always treated to late and insufficient farming input delivery, and no ready market, for produce after a harvest, be assured of maximum votes here in Chipangali,” Zimba assured Liswaniso’s delegation.
President Edgar Lungu has advised the church to minister to politicians so as to allow Christianity to be part of the political landscape of the country.
President Lungu said there is a lot of deception by some politicians and the church must continue to pray against it as this has the potential to divide the nation.
He said the church should use its calling to evangelize Christ to everyone including politicians who want to scout for votes by going to churches during campaign time.
“Welcome all but use the word of God to interrogate them. Know their position on important national issues including violence and tribalism. Convert them so that you Christianise the political landscapes,” the Head of State said.
President Lungu also urged the clergy to ensure the two commandments that Zambia’s first president Kenneth Kaunda championed of love your neighbour as yourself should be upheld as it a part of his legacy for generations to come.
“When President Chiluba declared Zambia as a Christian Nation a lot of things were said, when I declared a national day of prayer, they talked, but the legacy is not for one man as it is sustained by God’s Grace,” president Lungu echoed
And PF party national Chairperson Samuel Mukupa said the development under the PF government is unprecedented and described President Lungu a miracle that God sent. Representing the clergy, pastor Andrew Siame said the church is gratified with President Lungu’s decision to be part of the body of Christ.
Pastor Siame said despite many challenges that the Presidency of President Lungu has gone through, the Head of State has remained strong in Christ. He pointed out that the church has responded well to COVID-19 protocols as prescribed by government.
“We pledge to continue praying for peaceful elections and that people should continue to co-exist even during the campaign period.
Archbishop of Kasama Ignatius Chama has urged traditional leaders to work closely with government in order to deliver development in their respective areas. Archbishop Chama said traditional leaders and government have the same goal which is to improve the lives of their people.
He also urged the members of the public in the area to respect those in authority stating that all leadership comes from God.
Archbishop Chama, who is also president of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), said this during the installation mass of Luka Kangwa Mandosa as senior chief Mwamba the 16th at his palace in Kasama yesterday.
He has since encouraged the newly installed chief to serve the people diligently.
“I also wish to advise all leaders to be humble and put God first in your leadership,” Archbishop Chama said.
And Joseph Mutale, who was chairperson of the chief installation organizing committee, has thanked government for the various developmental projects initiated in the chiefdom.
Mr. Mutale cited the connections of the chiefdom to the national electricity grid, the construction of the min-hospital and gravelling of the road in the area.
He has meanwhile appealed to government to consider constructing palaces for chiefs in the province as well as recruit more teachers in schools.
Meanwhile, Northern Province Permanent Secretary Royd Chakaba has pledged government’s commitment to continue partnering with traditional leaders in order to foster development.
Mr. Chakaba disclosed that government has continued to enjoy the cordial relationship with traditional leaders who are also helping to promote peace and unity.
He said government is aware of the accommodation challenges traditional leaders are currently facing but called for public–private partnership in order to address the challenge.
Mr. Chakaba has meanwhile directed education authorities in the district to beef up staffing levels in schools.
The installation of senior chief Mwamba, whose names are Luka Kangwa Mandosa, comes after he was appointed to the throne in 2019 following the demise of Brian Kalolo in two years ago.
Among the notable people who attended the installation ceremony were former Finance Minister Bwalya Ngandu, and Geoffrey Mwamba, who are PF members of the central committee, and provincial campaign managers, senior government officials and several other traditional leaders.
The United Party for National Development (UPND) has said that the continued police harassment and summoning of its leader Hakainde Hichilema for merely expressing his constitutional rights to expression will not be tolerated.
UPND National Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa who confirmed the police summoning of President Hichilema at a media briefing yesterday morning urged the police to advise President Edgar Lungu against flouting Covid guidelines as that was being unfair to the opposition.
Mr.Mweetwa said the Police could not serve President Hichilema with the summon as his lawyers were unavailable to receive it being a weekend with the legal team out of Lusaka attending to other legal matters involving UPND members.
“The police yesterday wanted to serve a summon on President Hichilema but couldn’t because his legal team was not available to receive it. As you might be aware, most of our lawyers are out of Lusaka attending to other cases involving party members.The police were asked to hold onto the summon for further advice on how to deliver the summon. But the fillers received so far indicate that HH is alleged to have been campaigning in Chongwe against Covid guidelines when we all saw that all he did was to distribute face masks to members of the public as a personal contribution towards the fight against Covid,”he said.
He asked the police to advise President Lungu against flouting Covid regulations as that is making the job of enforcing the guidelines difficult as it is being viewed as the selective application of the law.
“President Lungu has been drawing large crowds in the name of inspecting government projects as was the case at Mtendere market in Lusaka and his visits to Mwinilunga and the Copperbelt where covid guidelines were disregarded.Why is it that the police actively invokes their duty to enforce the Covid regulations on the opposition UPND Alliance but turn a blind eye when Edgar Lungu and his PF flout the same law? Why is it that the ECZ is quick at enforcing its code on the opposition but slow on the PF? Where is democracy? We shall not allow the police to continue to harass one individual who is merely expressing his right to ascend to the highest office of the land and offer his services for the good of the public and the nation,” he added.
Mr.Mweetwa, who has called for calm from among members and wait for direction from the legal team, has since advised all Constituency chairpersons across the country to inform the police of their intentions to peacefully protest at local police stations on the day President Hichilema will be appearing at the police.
The recent police summoning of the UPND leader last December resulted in the shooting and killing by the police of two people which included a state prosecutor.
HH distributing face masks to people in Lusaka’s Meanwood Ndeke area.HH distributing face masks to people in Lusaka’s Meanwood Ndeke area.HH distributing face masks to people in Lusaka’s Meanwood Ndeke area.HH distributing face masks to people in Lusaka’s Meanwood Ndeke area.HH distributing face masks to people in Lusaka’s Meanwood Ndeke area.HH distributing face masks to people in Lusaka’s Meanwood Ndeke area.HH distributing face masks to people in Lusaka’s Meanwood Ndeke area.
1. As Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) it is our considered view that the decision by Government to invoke the so-called “debt swap” on civil servants will bring about more problems than benefits to both the civil servants themselves and the economy at large. Firstly, the total amount of money which civil servants owe various bank and non-bank financial institutions across the economy is in excess of K6 billion whereas the net assets of the Public Service Micro Finance Company Limited (PSMFC) are less than K500 million, meaning that PSMFC has no financial capacity to buy off the debt that civil servants have with various bank and non-bank financial institutions in the economy.
2. Secondly, it must be noted that despite PSMFC being established in 2013, the majority of civil servants have shunned it and do not borrow from it but prefer to borrow from other bank and non-bank financial institutions because they find the terms and conditions offered by other financial institutions, including lending rates, to be more favorable than those offered by PSMFC. It must also be noted that as a micro finance company, the average lending rates of PSMFC are far higher than those of commercial banks. According to a publication by the Bank of Zambia (BOZ) on “Charges, Fees and Commissions and a Demonstration of the Cost of Borrowing K1,000 for One Year for Micro Finance Institutions in Zambia as at 31st March 2020”, PSMFC had one of the highest effective annual lending rates at 110%. Hence, by compelling civil servants to move their loans from commercial banks where lending rates are as low as 30%, and take them to PSMFC, Government is making civil servants worse off rather than better off.
3. Thirdly, most loan agreements have a standard penalty clause for early settlement, which are often disguised as an administration fee. Therefore, when Government pays off these loans which civil servants have with various bank and non-bank financial institutions, the question is; who will pay the penalty fees for early settlement? If it is Government, then this amounts to a shear waste of taxpayers’ money. If it is the individual civil servant, then this amounts to an unnecessary financial burden which could have been avoided, and it will end up leaving civil servants worse off rather than better off.
4. Fourthly, Government has proposed a 3 months loan-deduction holiday for all civil servants by PMEC, as this so-called debt swap is being facilitated, effective from this July month end. However, this proposed loan-deduction holiday is more of a curse than a blessing on civil servants, especially those who owe bank and non-bank financial institutions other than PSMFC. This is because non-remittance of loan deductions by Government on behalf of civil servants will result in the credit-rating of individual civil servants being significantly downgraded by the Credit Reference Bureau, which will make it more difficult if at all, for these affected civil servants to access loans in future. Or if they do, such future loans are likely to be at higher borrowing rates due to the downgraded credit rating. Therefore, by implementing a 3 months loan re-payment holiday effective from July month end, Government is making civil servants to be worse off and not better off.
5. As Patriots for Economic Progress, it is our considered view that the proposed debt-swap by Government is not only financially unsustainable, but will actually make civil servants to be worse off in the longer term as they will be compelled to pay higher borrowing rates at PSMFC, will have to pay penalty fees for early settlement from their existing financial institutions and also risk having their individual credit rating downgraded due to non-remittance of loan deductions by Government due to the declared 3 months loan deduction holiday. Therefore, there is no question that civil servants will be financially worse off rather than better off as a result of this proposed debt swap.
6. As Patriots for Economic Progress, it is also our considered view that the decision by Government to embark on this so-called debt swap program actually amounts to partial nationalization of the financial services sector in particular and killing of the private sector in general. It must be noted that the perils of nationalizing an economy are well documented and still very vivid from the UNIP era. The liberalized free market economy that President Chiluba introduced in 1991 was the greatest blessing that this country has ever received. As President Chiluba succinctly put it; “it is not the business of Government to be in business”. The role of Government is to create a conducive environment for private sector enterprises to thrive and prosper. Given the fact that Government is by far the largest employer and civil servants constitute the largest business portfolio for individual clients for most bank and non-bank financial institutions, the total effect of Government’s proposed so-called debt swap is to partially nationalize the financial services sector. The adverse impact on private institutions in the financial services sector will be significant, and will be exhibited by loss of jobs and possible shutdowns.
7. As Patriots for Economic Progress, we feel duty bound to advise Government to rescind its proposed so-called debt swap immediately, as it is not only retrogressive to the economy but will make civil servants to be worse off rather than better off. In fact, given the true substance of this proposed transaction, the phrase of “debt-swap” that Government has attached to it is misleading and does not represent the true nature of the proposed transaction. The most accurate phrase to describe this proposed transaction is “partial nationalization of the financial services sector”. And in our considered view, of all the policy blunders that the PF and its Government have made ever since ascending to power in 2011, this will turn out to be the most grave of them all.
Thank You and May God Bless the Good Citizens of the Republic of Zambia and Our Ailing Nation.
The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) in Southern province has said there is nothing sinister about government’s decision to sign a debt swap for public service workers. ZCTU Southern Regional Coordinator Kashumba Kabombo said the debt swap initiative only aims to better the lives of public service workers and nothing else.
Dr. Kabombo said his union is confident that government has signed the debt swap agreement with financial lending institutions on behalf of the public service workers in good faith. He has therefore called on public service workers countrywide to ignore all negative rumours surrounding.
He explained that government has decided to go into the debt swap arrangement considering the financial burdens most civil servants are faced with at the moment. Dr. Kabombo told ZANIS in a telephone interview in Livingstone today that the labour movement was extremely happy with the decision taken by government to listen to the cries of public service workers.
He expressed confidence that the exercise will be effectively implemented. He further said those saying the move was political should realise that government can continue to offer good services to its workers even in an election year. Dr. Kabombo however said ZCTU was eagerly waiting to see the full implementation of the debt swap.
And Civil servants in Mungwi district in Northern Province have commended government for releasing K400 million to finance the debt swap.
Eunice Mwamba, a civil servant working under the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs in Mungwi, said the move to finance debts for some civil servants through the debt swap is a good gesture.
Ms. Mwamba told ZANIS in an interview in Mungwi that the initiative will help civil servants to be free from debts.
“The move taken by government to finance debt will go a long way in helping civil servants become debt free,” Ms. Mwamba said.
Meanwhile another civil servant, Chimwemwe Chilembo said the debt swap will lessen the burden of debt that many civil servants have been grappling with for some time now.
Mr. Chilembo said the implementation of the deal will allow civil servants to have disposable income to acquire other basic needs.
“It is believed that some civil servants were unable to meet the basic needs for their families because they had loans which they got from lending institutions that are being financed with high interest rates,” he said.
He has since thanked government for the gesture saying this development has elated civil servants in the country.
And Mungwi District Commissioner Bridget Chitundu said President Edgar Lungu and the Patriotic Front (PF) government should be commended for coming up with such a good initiative.
“This is a clear indication that President Lungu cares for the wellbeing of his people,” Ms. Chitundu said.
Police in Mwinilunga district in Northwestern province have confiscated 45 firearms in Chibwika, Kanong’esha, Kakoma, Kanyama and Sailung’a chiefdoms.
Out of the 45 firearms, 13 are locally made muzzle loaders and were collected from senior chief Sailung’a, who informed the police that he was in possession of the firearms surrendered to him by his subjects.
Northwestern Province Commissioner of Police, Joel Njase has confirmed the development in a statement availed to the media
Mr. Njase explained that police in the area received a phone call from senior chief Sailung’a on July 16, 2021 around 10:00 hours indicating that he was in possession of 13 fire arms surrendered by his subjects.
He said police made a follow up and collected the muzzle loaders which are being kept in the armoury at Mwinilunga police station.
“For this reason, police made a follow up to chief Sailunga’s palace and found 13 muzzle loaders which have since been collected,” he said.
Mr. Njase said in addition to the 13 muzzle loaders collected from Sailung’a chiefdom, 32 more guns were confiscated from Kanong’esha, Kanyama, Kakoma and Chibwika chiefdoms.
He said the move to confiscate the firearms will help in addressing incidents of people shooting each other on suspicion of practicing witchcraft.
He said incidents committing suicide by shooting oneself, poaching and other illegal activities would also reduce.
Mr. Njase said the programme to confiscate firearms is expected to continue for some months.
“So far the total number of firearms that have been confiscated is 45 and this will go on in the next months,” Mr. Njase said.
